Заявление Г.Г. Понурко и М.С. Бута старшему пресвитеру ВСЕХБ по УССР А.Л. Андрееву
December 7, 1955
Due to circumstances unforeseen by us, we were unable in a timely manner to participate in the well-known agreement concluded in Moscow in 1945 concerning the unification of Christians of Evangelical Faith with Evangelical Christians-Baptists into one union, signed on behalf of the representatives of the Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith by brothers Ponomarchuk and Bidash.
By this we confirm our sincere conviction that the Lord, in fulfillment of His High Priestly prayer for unity, accomplished the great work of uniting three unions into one blessed union, into one flock of the Lord. Over the course of ten years, by the power of God, this unity has brought great blessings to all sincere children of God in the united brotherhood.
Having weighed and reflected on the whole situation, condition, and blessing of the united brotherhood, as well as on the great benefit of the accomplished unification of the churches of Christ, and being convinced that this unification is from the Lord, we wholly and fully approve the agreement previously signed by our brothers from the CFE, Ponomarchuk and Bidash, and we join it.
For our part, we declare our sincere desire to enter into full fellowship and labor in the work of united service in the united churches that have become part of the All-Union Council of Evangelical Christians-Baptists.
Deeply regretting that there are still separate groups and congregations of Christians of Evangelical Faith which, due to an underestimation of the significance of unity and to their own views, as well as improper actions on the issues dividing Christians of Evangelical Faith from Evangelical Christians-Baptists—namely, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, other tongues, prophecies, and foot washing—have until now remained outside the united brotherhood, outside the union, outside proper pastoral guidance, oversight, and edification.
We for our part express our sincere desire, in our practical activity, to support the blessed unity of the AUCECB and to work for the benefit of unity, especially to draw in and join to the united brotherhood of ECB.
Expressing this desire of ours, we believe that with our personal participation the Lord will bless us to help the brothers from the CFE, especially those outside the union, to understand the necessity of unity, which, as experience has shown, has brought great blessings to the churches of the united brotherhood.
We ask that the above be brought to the attention of the All-Union Council of Evangelical Christians-Baptists concerning our sincere desire to cooperate in the Lord’s work in the united brotherhood of ECB, and also that we express a special desire to carry out our activity among the unaffiliated Pentecostals in order to include them in the membership of our united brotherhood.
With brotherly greetings, your brothers in Christ Ponurko But
GA RF. F. R.-6991. Op. 4. D. 39. L. 73-73ob. Typewritten copy.
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